A woman is looking forward to a brighter future after losing almost six stone in 10 months.

Sandie Fuller says her size once affected every aspect of her daily life but was crowned Melbourn Slimming World’s ‘Greatest Loser’ after joining the group in May last year and dropping from a size 26 to size 16.

The 59-year-old said: “Before I lost the weight I’d pretend I didn’t care that I was bigger than other people, but that just wasn’t true.

“I hated clothes shopping and just climbing up stairs would leave me out of breath. I felt awful. But now I feel like a new woman, I want to make up for lost time and experience all of the things that my weight held me back from doing.”

Sandie, who used to weigh more than 18 stone, said the hardest challenge was walking through the doors and joining the group.

She said: “I was embarrassed, and felt terrified I was going to be the biggest person there. But I needn’t have worried because everyone was very welcoming.

“When you have a lot of weight to lose there are many hurdles to overcome to change old ways.

“I couldn’t have done it without the support and encouragement of my consultant Karen and the rest of the group.”

Sandie is now far more active and says she feels happier, healthier and more confident.

Karen Corner, who runs the Melbourn Slimming World Group, said: “The change we’ve seen in Sandie is amazing. She’s a huge inspiration to other members and I hope her success will inspire others who’d like to lose weight to take action.”